‘Not the speech, but the service’: activist demands action on gender violence
GBV organisations have welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed action on stalled cases and forensic backlogs, but say survivors need properly funded shelters, trained police and public accountability—not more promises.
Activists are calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa's gender-based violence commitments to be measured by the actual protection and support provided to survivors, rather than his official speeches. While organizations fighting against gender-based violence (GBV) welcomed his proposed measures to address stalled cases and reduce forensic backlogs, they emphasized the urgent need for adequately funded shelters, trained police, and transparent accountability.
Cheryl Hlabane, spokesperson for Frida Hartley Shelter, welcomed the President's acknowledgment of the government's shortcomings in addressing GBV. She highlighted the ongoing challenge of inadequate funding, which leaves shelters struggling to provide essential services such as housing, food, and psychological support. Hlabane also called for improved community support and better police training in trauma-informed responses.
Elton Adkins, founder of Unite Against GBV, warned that commitments alone are not enough; survivors need to see these measures implemented effectively and without delay. He stressed the importance of accessible counselling, emergency accommodation, transportation, legal assistance, and consistent support throughout court proceedings.
Adkins also advocated for a dedicated, well-trained GBV unit within the South African Police Service (SAPS), along with better coordination among various agencies involved in GBV cases. Gideon Joubert, spokesperson for Free SA, emphasized the need for measurable progress in addressing GBV. He called for the implementation of a national case-recovery operation, prioritization of forensic backlogs, and regular public reporting on the progress of stalled investigations.
Joubert stressed that survivors should not face bureaucratic hurdles or indefinite waiting periods for forensic results and updates on their cases. Nishani Kishore, founder of the Infinity Foundation, urged the government to move beyond announcements and take action to prevent more women and children from dying due to unresolved cases.
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